As new drivers, teens often encounter problems on the road due to inexperience. It is for that reason behind-the-wheel training is so important. The state of Arizona does not require professional behind-the-wheel instruction, but it does require teens to practice under the supervision of a licensed driver.

Instruction permit holders under the age of 18 can pursue the requirement through an authorized third-party training program or with a parent. It will help you understand what to watch out for on the road.

Risky Driving Behavior

Studies abound on accidents involving teen drivers because the number is disproportionately high compared with the number of drivers in the age range. Most conclude that the reason the numbers are so high is that younger drivers take more risks.

Young drivers are more apt to participate in dangerous behavior behind the wheel than people in other age groups. Their inexperience allows them to overestimate their abilities and disassociate their risky behavior with its consequences, thus creating numerous opportunities for collisions.

However, it is possible to prevent the problem by identifying the risky behaviors in which teen drivers participate and working to avoid them. The following behaviors are among the most popular:

• Driving over the speed limit

• Trying to beat a red light

• Tailgating

• Passing other cars in no-passing zones

• Passing multiple cars at once

• Not coming to a complete three-second stop at a stop sign

• Weaving in and out of lanes to pass slow-moving cars

• Confusing risky driving with fun driving

• Drag racing

Restrictions for New Teen Drivers

Statistics also show that the majority of teen accidents occur during the first year in which the teen has their driver's license. For that reason, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) favors limiting teen drivers' exposure to dangerous driving situations during their first year on the road. The restrictions allow the teens to gain valuable behind-the-wheel time, but limit that time to when safe road conditions exist.

Along those lines, during your first six months with your Arizona graduated license, you can't drive:

• Between midnight-5 a.m. unless you have a currently licensed parent or guardian sitting next to you, or you are driving under certain special, limited conditions.

• With more than one passenger who's under 18 years old unless they're your siblings or you have a currently licensed parent or guardian sitting next to you.

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